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Chapter 3: Time at Home
When he awoke the next morning he could hear laughing from downstairs and
hurried to dress. Finding the clothes fit him fairly well he pulled on a pair of shoes that
were by the bed. Quickly he made the bed and left the room, heading downstairs. In the
parlor he saw Mme. Giry, Meg and Kaitlin sitting talking. They looked up at him as he
entered and Kaitlin smiled.
“Ah. I see the clothing fit you,”Mme. Giry said as she stood and walked to a small
teapot with an extra cup beside it.
“Would you like something to drink?” She asked and he nodded.
“Thank you,”he said quietly as he shifted his weight in the doorway,”For
everything.”
“Think nothing of it,”she said as she poured him a cup of tea.
Again he shifted his weight and Kaitlin got up and went to him, taking his hand.
“Come sit,”she said and he complied, following her across the room and sitting on
the couch with her as Mme. Giry handed him the tea. As they all sat there they made
friendly chatter and Erik finally heard the timid voice of Meg as they talked. Eventually
Erik offered to play violin and soon he was playing a slow melody. The girls and Mme.
Giry watched and listened as he played the haunting tune. After he was done they
applauded quietly and he smiled. After a few moments though the girls went off to go for
a short walk and Mme. Giry turned to Erik.
“You play beautifully,”she said as she sipped her tea.
“Thank you,”he replied as he put the violin away.
“Where did you learn to play?” She asked.
“I taught myself,”he answered aas her eyes met with his own.
“Madame,”he began slowly,”I am eternally grateful for all you have done for me
though it would probably not be wise for me to stay around this area.”
“In the event they search around for me,”he explained. She nodded slightly.
“I suppose that is a logical point. But where will you go?”
“I heard people at the fair say they are building an opera house in Paris. I could go
work there. Perhaps even find an abandoned house to live in,”he replied.
With a frown Mme. Giry said,”But that is hardly as safe...”
“...But it is your life. I will arrange for your ride there though,”she added,”And
give you some money to buy food with.”
“It is hardly necessary Madame,”he said quietly, his eyes helping to voice his
protest at her generousity, but she firmly stated in response.
“I insist.”
That evening the girls returned and Kaitlin had some music with her. She was
smiling as she walked into the house with Meg and Erik greeted them in the parlor.
Excitedly she showed him the music and went to sit and look it over. The peaceful happy
moment was shattered though when Erik mentioned he’d be leaving the next day.
Kaitlin put the music down and looked up at him, shock and sadness etched onto
her face. As he saw the look on her face he explained before she could speak, his
reasoning, motives and everything. Despite her upset she quietly agreed with his logic
with a sigh and the next day saw him off to Paris with a cloak hood to hide his face.
